Saturday, November 26, 2011

Inertial Navigation System InnaLabs

There is a company called InnaLabs headquartered in Dublin, Ireland that develops inertial navigation systems. At their research and design lab in the Ukraine, high performance inertial sensors are developed. InnaLabs produces high end, cutting edge accelerometers and gyroscopes. They are used in several industries for many different purposes, including aerospace and commercial aircraft, marine and land, oil exploration and energy, automation and robots as well as transportation markets.
Accelerometers are developed for use in inertial navigation systems, orientation, and stabilization systems. Accelerometers are used in aircrafts and unmanned vehicles, naval vehicles, and ships and orientation systems for the oil drilling industry.
Coriolis vibratory gyroscopes are available as 1, 2, or 3 axis gyroscope sensors. They use a vibrating quartz technology that uses the coriolis effect to measure the angular rotation rate. They are used for things such as platform stabilization, positioning and stabilized pointing, gyro-stabilized balls, railway tilt systems, sonar stabilization and autopilot sensing and control. They are also used in various unmanned vehicles such as automated guided vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely operated underwater vehicles.
A single quartz gyrospcope uses a monolithic quartz sensing element. It has internal power regulation and is used by original equipment manufacturers. They are used for antenna and platform stabilization, robotics and vehicle control and stabilization, low-cost inertial systems, such as inertial navigation systems and for measurement purposes in precision farming, factory automation, medical, and orthopedic areas.

High Efficiency Furnace

We are lucking out weather wise this weekend in upstate New York. The past few days have been very early fall like. The sun is out and it's warm as in about 60 degrees. It is a welcome relief from all the rain we have had this fall. Unfortunately, the weather man thinks we may have a cold and snowy winter. The calm before the storm I guess.
I really hate the cold weather. It's a good thing we have a high efficiency furnace. It is almost nine years old. We had a few minor problems last year, so this year I will probably have it serviced to make sure it is in good running order. It is an oil furnace. Someday I would like to upgrade it to a more greener method. We also heat with a woodstove located in the basement. The basement is the warmest place in the house during the winter. The woodstove really does cut down on the fuel bill, which is great. I also try to cut down on the oil bill by keeping the temperature around 67 - 68 degrees. If it gets too cold, we just put on a sweatshirt. My grandparents keep their house at about 65 degrees. Now that I have to buy oil, I can see why. Any way to cut down on the dependency of buying oil is welcome.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Photo To CD Scanning Service ScanDigital.com

Photograph and video technology has really come a long way. Twenty years ago, I got my first camera as a Christmas gift. It was a Kodak disc camera. I took lots of pictures with that, so I have a bunch of photo albums in storage along with a bunch of negatives. Photo scanning is a time consuming process I don't have time for right now.
There is a website called ScanDigital.com that offers photo scanning services. They will take those old photos and negatives and convert them to digital images. They first clean and prepare the photos with compressed air and a lint free cloth. Each picture is then scanned. Technicians will then repair each image by cropping, rotating, correcting the color and removing red eye. The photos are then put on a cd, dvd or external Hard Drive for you to enjoy. Using a photos to cd process protects your photos against dust, scratches, etc. You can also make extra back up copies and store them off site, so they will be safe.
ScanDigital.com also offers a video service. They will take old video tapes and put them on DVD. Formats they can convert include VHS, VHS-C, BetaMax, Hi8, MiniDV and Digital 8. That is a great service since VCR's are hard to find. I have a few old players, but the tapes usually play back all fuzzy. I've tried cleaning the heads, but that hasn't helped. DVD players are very reasonably priced nowadays. I have a few old VHS tapes from when I was in elementary school. Putting them on a DVD might be a good idea.
For both services ScanDigital.com has the following start to finish process in place once you place an order:
1. Your photos are sent to ScanDigital.com via UPS, which they monitor using tracking info
2. Once the order is received, they check it in and enter all contents into their system.
3. Orders are stored in labeled and sealed containers while waiting to be scanned.
4. Each photo is scanned.
5. Scans are reviewed for quality.
6. Editing staff optimizes each photo.
7. Editors review their work for quality.
8. A separate, third editor reviews the digital images for quality.
9. Files are copied onto a CD, DVD, or external hard drive.
10. Orders are finalized and billed.
11. Original photos, digital images and receipt are shipped to you.
12. Order is uploaded to an online gallery for sharing.
13. You receive your order.

Sounds like a great service that I may have to look into.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Free Download Design Patterns Gamma

For a few years now I have been wanting to buy the object oriented book "Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software" by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson and John Vlissides. It's one of those must have books for any software developer. It's pretty expensive though. A new copy is almost $50. The Kindle version is even $27. Used copies also average around $25. I did a search on Google to see if there are any free copies out there.
Yes, there are!!!! Go to 4shared.com. It's a file sharing site. First you have to download and install the software, which is free. Once installed, run the software and search for design patterns gamma. A list of available files comes up, select one and download. Apparently the hardcopy of the book is now available on cd, which is where the downloaded file came from. It seems to contain the full book, which I am now in the process of reading.
Thank you!


Friday, November 18, 2011

Finpo Printed Circuit Boards MCPCB

In college, I majored in math. When I graduated, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I took a year off to do nothing, but work at a mindless job and relax. After the year was up, I sent out resumes and ended up with a job as a software developer, a perfect fit for me.
Computers are great, software developing is great, but the hardware aspect is beyond me. Taking apart the insides of a computer is not something I can do. All the little pieces inside look the same to me.
If you are gifted with understanding computer hardware, you might be interested in a company called Finpo. They sell printed circuit boards, PCBs. They are of high quality at a low cost. PCB supplies and services are also offered. Online instant quotes are available. Finpo offers rigid boards, flexible boards, MCPCB, rigid-flex boards and HDI boards with blind/buried vias. Specialized PCB's include probe card, load board, interposer (substrate), and burn-in boards. PCB production is strictly controlled under ISO9001:2008. Software is also used in the production process to ensure the highest quality PCB is produced.
A minimum of five panels is required for an order.
Damaged boards which are the fault of Finpo will be replaced. Refunds minus a non-refundable fifty dollar surcharge fee are available for orders cancelled before a confirmation is received. After confirmation is received, a non-refundable fifty dollar surcharge fee is available if the difference of the initial and final quote is greater than 20%.
Finpo has 33 years of experience in the PCB industry. Industries that use their products include the communications, industrial computer application and automobile industries.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Scheduling Software Empire Time WSG

One software tool all companies need is scheduling software. There are a lot of different scheduling software options out there. During the time I worked at a large defense company, several different scheduling software tools were used. Back then, I just had dial up for my internet connection. It made it very painful to load a couple of the different systems. There was one system that loaded great. Unfortunately, towards the end, they reverted back to the slowest loading system they had ever used. It wasn't a very good idea. I always worried on time sheet submittal days whether or not I would be able to get in and submit the timesheet.
Scheduling software can be complex. Items it needs to keep track of include total number of hours worked, support for multiple projects, expense reports, vacation/time off hours used & available totals, and time sheet editing.
A company called WSG offers several different scheduling software tools. One tool is called Empire Time. It offers a simple user interface for project financial management with the ability to export reporting to an Excel spreadsheet or a PDF file. Using Empire Time allows for faster billing, financial period closures, and revenue recognition. It also allows for time and expense tracking, overtime and personal time off reporting. It has a high satisfaction rate among users. It supports multiple platforms, including a web based client for remote workers. Project assignments and holidays are automatically populated. It can also automatically import American Express expenses and automate expenses to payroll, so the employee can be quickly reimbursed. A special console is included for managers to use in approving timesheets.
If the Empire Time scheduling software sounds like it might be a good fit for your company, a demo is available at the WSG website, so you can try before you buy.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Engineering Software ZWSOFT ZWCAD ZW3D

There is a company called ZWSOFT that produces and sells engineering software. They have 19 years of experience in the CAD industry with over 180,000 users worldwide and 150 research and design engineers.
One of their engineering software products is called ZWCAD. It is a DWG file format compatible CAD tool designed to create and edit 2D objects. It is also used for dimensioning, 3D modeling, plotting and file sharing. Customizable features include a design center, tools and API customization. The user interface is simple, allowing users to quickly learn how to use it. ZWCAD has over 180,000 users in over 80 countries.
ZW3D is another engineering software product available from ZWSOFT. It helps create a product from start to finish in an integrated, collaborative environment. It allows for reuse and design sharing through data exchange. A one of a kind Overdrive kernel provides for hybrid modeling. Cavity preparation tools and libraries allow for mold and die design. ZW3D also allows for 2-axis to 5-axis CNC machining. The ZW3D software is used in many different industries, including the automotive, consumer products, machine design, mold and die, and medical industries. It is available in 12 different languages.
Forums are available for users of the ZWSOFT engineering software. API resources are also available for developers. An extensive knowledge base, tutorials and tips and tricks are offered for the ZWCAD and ZW3D engineering software on the ZWSOFT website. Online training is also available.
ZWSOFT has locations in China and the United States. They can be followed via social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Natural Health Nutrition vs. Medical Industry

Since being laid off back in February, I've had time to reflect on my career choice of software developer and whether I should stay on that path, or choose something else. I came to the conclusion that I want to continue on this path.
One area I have become interested in though is the natural health and nutrition field. It's an area I prefer to keep as a hobby, rather than a career choice. I started learning about nutrition when my oldest son was born nine weeks early seven years ago and have continued learning even more as the boys have gotten older. Two years ago I was diagnosed as being on the verge of diabetes, even though I wasn't overweight and didn't really have any risk factors. It forced me to apply my natural health and nutrition knowledge to myself though. There is a lot of information out there on the internet. Some useful, some not, but it all basically says the same thing: eat fresh, local, organic fruits and vegetables, a couple servings per day of whole grains, a little dairy and lean meats, exercise, get enough rest and cut out high fructose corn syrup and all other artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Focusing on low glycemic foods is also important for stabilizing the blood sugar. My point of view is that I would much rather spend money on healthy food, vitamins and feel better, than spend money on junk food, medication and feel like crap.
Since my low glycemic, mediterranean diet change, my cholesterol and blood sugar numbers are much lower. I have way more energy, my head is clearer and I feel much better. The advice all the health gurus give, actually works. Imagine that.
I hate doctors and hospitals. Spending a week in the hospital when my water broke ten weeks early when I was pregnant with my oldest son, and constantly being poked and prodded by doctors in their http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/ and nurses in uniform was enough for me.
Medications are also full of weird chemicals, have side effects and often lead to other illnesses that will require yet another type of medication, which in turn will lead to another illness and more medication. So far, I haven't had any weird side effects from eating fruits and vegetables.
If there's something I can do to avoid the medical industry, then I'm more than willing to give it a try.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Center Stage

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

During the summer when all of my shows were just reruns, I would always check out www.direct.tv to see which movies were available. I had debated adding the movie channels to my cable package when I had it installed, but knew that I would need them during this time of the year. Not only was I able to watch newer movies without leaving my house to rent DVDs, but I would often times catch old movies that brought back so many memories. One of my favorite movies in college was Centerstage. My best friend and I would put this in our sophomore year when we needed a break from the studying and stress of our classes. It was a total chick flick, but we never seemed to get tired of seeing it. It was on TV the other day, so I left it on while I got some things done around my house. I definitely watched more of the movie than I had planned. Needless to say, some of the things on my to do list didn’t get done as quickly as I had hoped.